David Duchovny believes he played a role in 'discovering' Angelina Jolie, saying, "I just knew she was a movie star

By M Muzamil Shami

The two co-starred in the 1997 film "Playing God."

When you think of Angelina Jolie, David Duchovny might not be the first person who comes to mind. However, the Californication star claims he played a role in her rise to fame.

During an appearance on Sirius XM's Radio Andy on Thursday, Duchovny was asked what came to mind when he heard the names of various past costars. When Jolie's name was mentioned, recalling his leading lady in the 1997 thriller Playing God, he remarked, "I feel like I discovered Angelina Jolie."

      David Duchovny collaborated with Angelina Jolie early in her career. PHOTO: EMMA MCINTYRE/GETTY; MIKE MARSLAND/WIREIMAGE

When host Andy Cohen asked for clarification, Duchovny elaborated on his role in casting. "Yes, because I was involved in the casting process," Duchovny said about the movie he starred in. "I didn't discover her, but when she auditioned, I knew she was a movie star, and I insisted we cast her."

The X-Files alum confirmed he was talking about the movie Playing God, which also featured Timothy Hutton. Directed by TV director Andy Wilson, the official casting was credited to Elaine J. Huzzar (From Dusk Till Dawn) and Johanna Ray (Snowpiercer). The film's description outlines it as a story about "a disgraced surgeon" who "reinvents himself as a gunshot doctor in the criminal underworld."

       Angelina Jolie and David Duchovny star in 'Playing God.' Photo: Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Jolie's early professional acting career began with music videos in the early '90s. She then appeared in films like "Hackers" (1995) and "Foxfire" (1996) before "Playing God." Her breakthrough came with the role of supermodel Gia Carangi in HBO's "Gia," followed by notable films such as "The Bone Collector," "Girl, Interrupted" (which earned her an Oscar), "Gone in 60 Seconds," and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."

Duchovny is currently promoting his latest project, "Reverse the Curse," a movie he wrote, directed, and stars in. The film follows a man who tries to lift his ailing father's spirits by faking a winning season for the Boston Red Sox.